Elections board delays decision on Ida Smith’s disqualification

The V.I. Board of Elections voted Monday to gather more information about a dispute over Ida Smith’s disqualification as a candidate for V.I. Delegate to Congress.

Smith is an Independent candidate hoping to challenge incumbent Stacey Plaskett, a Democrat, and Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes said she disqualified Smith because she was registered to vote in both New York and the Virgin Islands. The Board of Elections held an emergency meeting Monday, where they gave Smith an opportunity to explain why she is challenging her disqualification.

Smith said the Constitution contains the only requirements for election to the U.S. House of Representatives, which are that a candidate must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and an inhabitant of the voting district upon election. “I’ve proven everything that was asked of me, and then some,” Smith said.